Paying It Forward From One MSer to Another

On Sept 18, 2013, I wrote a column on Aundi Ramirez (pictured, left), a bikini competitor with multiple sclerosis from the Aurora, Colo., area. Aundi told her own story of how she is conquering MS through fitness and health like all of our MS Fitness Challenge warriors. That story touched and inspired many lives.

Recently, Aundi competed again (pictured below, right), but, more importantly, she is helping others to achieve their fitness goals despite MS. One MSer Aundi is assisting, hands on, is Topya Rith Billingsley, a 35-year-old wife and mother. Topya has had a rough road with MS, with symptoms starting long before she was diagnosed earlier this year. And now, Aundi has taken Topya under her wing to help her battle MS the only way Aundi and I know how ‒ in the gym.

We Are a Community of Msers

We all know that the fight we have against MS is a journey with many hills, valleys, and sometimes even mountains to conquer. It is not a straight road without twists and turns. Life with MS is challenging and we have setbacks that, no matter how strong we are, can take us off course for some time. It is how we handle these obstacles and how quickly we recover from them that make the biggest difference in our victory over a disease that wants to beat us every day. Topya is no different than any of us with MS and she has hit that stumbling block.

If you are a consistent follower of my blog, you will know that I like to tell stories of people with MS accomplishing extraordinary tasks. But on the road to these goals are hardships and trials. It’s also good to hear that we are not alone in the roadblocks that MS throws us. We are a community of MSers who ‒ whether we are climbing mountains or just trying to climb out of bed ‒ are connected by the same common denominator of this disease.

As Aundi told me, “Topya is currently in physical therapy [PT] because of her most recent relapse. She was treated with steroids and saw immediate relief, but, during this PT phase, we are holding off on resuming training. We want her to regain some stability! Right now, it’s hard for her to even stand with her feet together without faltering.” But both of them are determined to continue fighting MS at the gym and with the proper nutrition.

Aundi has Topya eating very ‘clean,’ trying to consume anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy and cruciferous vegetables, anti-inflammatory supplements, and fish high in omega 3s, while eliminating processed foods, refined flours, sugars, and gluten.

“She’s done such a great job cleaning up her diet that she immediately noticed how a pizza bite negatively affected the way she felt! What we put into our bodies is SO important!” Aundi said.

“When we do begin to train together again, I plan to focus on building her core strength and stability, strengthening her legs, and making them symmetrical. We need to also work on her balance. Psychologically, her PT has helped tremendously because she’s seen a lot of improvement in a very short amount of time. She’s even more excited to start training with me again because she knows how rapid her improvement can be. We are going to get her moving! We plan to meet twice a week and do functional exercises that include movements she would encounter every day. Standing on one leg, raising her knee up toward her chest (lying or standing), and being able to activate her core to sit up or extend her back are our initial goals which I’m sure she’ll achieve quickly. She’d like to walk and dance and run again, and I have complete faith that we can get her there through fitness!”

I know Aundi and she has her own struggles with MS, but she stands strong against ‘the monster.’ I have no doubt that she will be successful in positively affecting Topya’s life, both in and out of the gym.

Topya wanted to share her story with all of us. I know we all can relate to many of the things she has gone through and is going through now.

Topya’s MS Story and Journey

I originally had symptoms at the end of 2008 going into 2009. I was experiencing numbness on the left side of my body and had sudden loss of eyesight in one eye. I always felt like I was walking through the ground and simply walking straight was a task. I had just gotten married and I thought, “Wow, my husband just married this broken person.” I remember lying in bed, whimpering because my face itched and I couldn’t find the itching spot to relieve it. It was hard on my husband because he couldn’t do anything to help.

I went through the process and got all the necessary tests: MRIs of my brain and cervical spine, lumbar puncture, and the evoked potential tests. I passed all my tests without any sign of multiple sclerosis, but the neurologist still suggested I had MS and gave me three drugs to choose from. They basically said, “Here you go, sign here, and choose between injections once a day, once a week, or every few days.” I was in shock and didn’t know what to say or do. I left the office and never came back. I made some changes in my life and moved on. A month later, all my symptoms went away. I moved to Chicago for two years, had a healthy baby, and was free from any symptoms. I lived a healthy, physical, normal life.

In 2011, I moved back to Colorado and, six months later, I started to feel different. My left leg started dragging and I had extreme fatigue. I lost 10 to 15 pounds ‒ and on my frame, it showed. I had bowel problems, which really freaked me out. I found myself sweating profusely while doing simple tasks in my home, like dressing my toddler. In heat, I could hardly walk without pain up my neck and back. I decided to see another neurologist and got a new MRI. This time, there were changes, finding seven lesions on my brain. I starting seeing a chiropractor and that helped my symptoms. I was able to function pretty normally.

Then in 2013, I went from working a normal day to not being able to move a muscle, which landed me in the emergency room. I was admitted into the hospital for three days for an infection, dehydration, and fever. After my hospital visit, I never fully recovered. My right leg started feeling stiff and I had difficulty walking. The fatigue increased while both of my feet simultaneously felt funny with pins and needles. I had always had an urgency to urinate, which wasn’t fun at all. My personal remedy was only drinking water at home because I was so scared of having an accident. Not healthy!

In March 2014, I was driving and I ended up running a red light because I couldn’t feel the brake pedal. Thank God nobody was hurt. I realized I had to see a doctor as my symptoms continued to grow worse. Many people around me did not know what I was going through. I tried my hardest to overcome my awkwardness, discomfort, and achy body. The simplest daily routine was taxing, to say the least. I tried hard to make life as normal for my family as I could, but I couldn’t keep my battle silent any longer. I had to purchase a cane to help me with this fatigue and instability, and I had to get an official diagnosis of what I had.

I was officially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in May 2014. My neurologists found two active lesions on my cervical spine. That is what was causing my sudden change in my right leg and drastic balance issues. He prescribed a steroid infusion broken into three parts, which brought instant change.

I currently have physical therapy two days a week and exercise at home to help with my balance. I will be starting Gilenya soon. My energy is improved and my strength is back. These simple things, together, have really helped me to walk better and improved my balance. I still have a lot of work to do, but I am definitely improving.

Starting my fitness plan again with Aundi (pictured with Topya, left) will continue to make me stronger and healthy. I know having a training partner to push me will really make a difference. What makes Aundi special is she understands what I am going through and what I am feeling, not only physically but also emotionally.

Though I have had symptoms off and on for a while, I finally know what I am battling against. I know what my opponent is. Now, I know how to fight. I can’t win a battle unless I know what I am fighting against. I have had great support from family and friends. The hardest to deal with is that I can’t do everything that I used to do right now. I had a very healthy, normal life, and it was hard to accept the help in the beginning. I used to play field hockey, cheered, and ran track. I excelled in athletics, and now that I can’t is frustrating. I thank God for my loving and supportive husband.

The realization of my new limitations and emotional battles has created a new person within. With my visits to the MS center, I met two types of people who battle MS: There are those who lay in bed and are depressed, letting the disease take over their life. And then there are people like Aundi, who faces the disease head on with all her weapons and fights for a healthy and normal life with all her strength. I choose that life!

I reached out to Aundi because I saw what she had done with her diagnoses and she inspired me to reach my goals. I have a wonderful husband and a fun-loving little boy. I want to dance with my husband again. When my son asked me, “Mommy, when you get better, can you take me on a walk and run around in the backyard with me?” I want to be able to say “Yes” and do it! I want to run again and jump with him. I want to have more children. I do not want to be an observer of life and just watch everyone living life to the fullest. I want to participate with them.

Now that I know my opponent, I can overcome it and be victorious. I already see a change, and that gives me encouragement. I will never take my health for granted again. I’m excited to see my transformation with my diet changing and being more intentional about health and fitness, thanks to Aundi. I realize I am not alone in this fight. I am a woman of faith, and I believe the Lord has kept me in this fight and surrounded me with so much support. It really overwhelms me to see the love and support my family and I have had.

Every day I have peace and know that this battle is already won. “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalms 18:2 KJV).

Topya’s story and journey are inspiring. It shows us that whatever we need to hold onto to beat MS, we should grasp it with all the strength in our bodies. Fitness is my tool, as it is Aundi’s, and Topya is joining our team. Both Aundi and I are people of faith, and in response to Topya’s quote of scripture, all I can say is ‒ “Amen!”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Lyons

DAVID LYONS was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2006 at the age of 47. A bodybuilder and former owner of fitness centers, Lyons made the choice to fight MS head-on through bodybuilding. He founded the...read more

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